Buffalo Common Council President Darius Pridgen is outraged by the snow and ice conditions around the Towne Gardens apartments on Clinton Street. WBFO'S Eileen Buckley says the U.S. Post Office notified the lawmaker that there will be no mail delivery due to unsafe conditions.
As freezing rain and sleet poured down in Buffalo Tuesday, Common Council Member Pridgen conducted his own investigation of the sidewalks around the Towne Gardens complex.
"We are going to everything possible to ensure that these owners, who live in New York City, clean up their complex. That they treat people with dignity and respect. That they stop threatening the tenants when they complain cause it will not be tolerated in the Ellicott District nor will it be tolerated in the city of Buffalo," said Darius Pridgen.
"So I'm here recording it and photoing it because people are out of control," stated Pridgen in his Facebook video.
The Ellicott District lawmaker is using social media to get his message out. He recorded a video and posted to his Facebook and twitter pages calling on the management to remove the icy mess immediately.
"Towne Gardens -- take care of your property," said Pridgen.
In a separate video Pridgen says he's been concerned about the Towne Gardens for years. It provides housing for low-income residents, but some residents complain that it is poorly kept and trash is often left behind.
"Here's the most heartbreaking part -- some of these walkways are directly outside of handicap apartments, where people who are in wheelchairs are not able to get out of their apartments because of the snow on the main walkways." said Pridgen. "It is horrendous."
Pridgen has put the management company notice. Pridgen said he will be in court this month requesting receivership. "Towne Gardens must make a decision. Towne Gardens needs to either discontinue owning Towne Gardens, or we are requesting -- the court send it into receivership." Pridgen is calling on residents living at the complex to call his office with any on-going issues so it can be brought to the courts attention.
Towne Gardens is operated by Platinum Management Services in New York City. WBFO News has left a message for the company requesting their response to the lack of snow removal.
"We are going to everything possible to ensure that these owners, who live in New York City, clean up their complex. That they treat people with dignity and respect. That they stop threatening the tenants when they complain cause it will not be tolerated in the Ellicott District nor will it be tolerated in the city of Buffalo," said Pridgen.